Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-04-21
Washington Letter
lFnuX OUR laEuULAR CokkEsro NpGET
WASHINGTON. ArRIL 10, 1887.

WASMINaroE. ArRIL 10, 1887.
The Alaskan zeal fisheries question
was discussed at the Cabinet meeting
Thursday with the view to their better
protection from foreign interferencc.-
1t is represented that the interests are
now threatened by the wanton and
wholesale slaughter of seals in the open
ocean. 1t seems that during the day
the female seals leave their young on
the shores of the Islands in charge Of
the males, while they 90 miles away in
search of food, with which they return
at night. Recently the practice has
sprung up Of catching the females
while they are in search of food. Their
Young perish, as matter of course,and
the perpetuation Of the animals is en-
dangered. The difficulty of control
ing this matter arises from the alleged
want of jurisdiction Of our Government
over these waters beyond the Smile
limit. The question will be again con-
sidercd at future meeting.
Canadian fisheries matters were also
considered as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of
suitable action Nv the President under
the provisions Of the retallatory act, as
it is understood that information has
been received to tie effect that Eng
land sustains the pos ton taken by the
Canadian authorities, and is in no wise
disposed to make the concessions re-
Nuested by this Government,
The report of the Department Of Ag-
riculture for April relating to the con-
utun Of winter grain states that the
returns show that the condition of the
soil at the time of seeding wheat Was
somewhat unftvorable in the States Of
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, owing to
drought during the late summer and
autumn, most severe in portions Of
Pennsylvania, in Maryland and Virgin
ia, and in parts Of Texas. The same
unfavorable conditions prevailed in
Western Missouri and in Kansas. Ile
continued dry weather made blowing
difficult, seeding late, and in localities
where it was unbroken when winter set
in, termination was slow and the fall
growth small. In the great wheat
States OF the Central West, from Ten
nessee to Missouri, the seed bed for the
greater part Of the area was in favor
able condition, and, with local excep-
tons, the plant made good growth be-
fore going into winter quarters. On
the Pacific slope the early seeding time
was dry, but rains came later, and the
whole breadth was put in far condition
though somewhat after the usual date
| do not know that Washington needs
any more eyangelizing labor expended
upon it than any other metropolis in
the country, detplte the universal opin-
ion outside that it is perfect cesspool
of iniqulty. The Capital is not vic
ious city. 1t is not an immoral city.
! is really not in as bad a way by half
as the agitators would make it out to
be.
There are no gambling houses here
At one time faro and all other games
of chance which ruined the life and
business advancement of many d man
We're in full blast, but they were COM
pletely wiped out some years ago.
During the past winter some adven.
turers opened ii gambling house here
for business, but within two days their
establishment was vacated. There are
no professional poker rooms in exist
ence here. | do not mean that poker
is not played, for it is, to a consider
able extent during the 50 called social
season, but 1t is not licensed.
1t has been said IN other cities that
there was no artistic or musical atmos-
phere in Washington that politics and
society absorbed every faculty and in
terest. Washington does lunch and
dine and Visit great deal, and poll
tics do hang as sort OF Old Man of
the Sea about its neck, but 1t is more
than the political and social capital Of
the sreatestlepublic the world has ever
seen Every national interest cent? rs
here, and every phase Of national life is
represented here, as is also the intellect,
and culture and patriotism Of cont.
ncnt.
The great social wAirl begins On New